In the book, Sheepish, the author extolls the virtues of wool....it wicks wetness, it doesn't hold odors, it dries quickly. These things all seem to be pretty important in a dish scrubbie. My problem, though, is---it isn't a Dobie.
I'm married to "the dishwasher". PapaGeek doesn't cook, but man, can he clean a kitchen! I wish I could take some credit for his "training" but he came this way. (College job at the fraternity was dishwasher/kitchen help--note, NOT cook!) My job was just to make sure he never lost his skills, and after almost 41 years of marriage, I can say, I've done my job remarkably well. But, he ONLY happily washes dishes with a Dobie. (We go on vacation--we pack the Dobie; we visit our son and his family--we pack the Dobie. If we want dishes washed---Dobie, it is!)
Dobies are plastic. YUK. They shred. YUK. After a few washings, they start to smell less than fresh. YUK. YUK. YUK. Brainstorm. Kitchen twine---made into a Dobie-sized pouch---stuffed with wool roving (which, of course, I have around from the times I've thought I really needed to learn how to drop spindle, and haven't gotten around to yet)-- the lanolin in the wool might even act as a hand-lotion....
It definitely LOOKS better than the Dobie.
The verdict is still out. (Guess who's the judge?)
Guess I'll have to hold on to you-know-what at least until after supper.
Cost of new Scrubbie: $0
"Pattern" (and I use the term quite loosely!)
CO 14 stitches with kitchen twine using a #6 needle.
Knit for about 8". Fold in half and stitch around, stuffing wool roving into the center of the "pouch". TA-DAH.
If it works, and I have to actually buy more twine someday (one spool looks like it should last a L-O-N-G time).....I get to shop for "yarn" at the grocery store!
Joining Lady Cordelia for Thrifting Thursday!
I will be casting one on here today!
Last year I made cotton dishcloth and put an inch strip of twine down the middle which worked pretty well. My problem was I made the cloth too big, making it feel like I was washing dishes with a towel.
Posted by: Tracey | 05/10/2012 at 07:16 AM
What a brilliant idea! Can't wait to hear what PapaGeek thinks.
Posted by: Melissa | 05/10/2012 at 08:52 AM
Genius! And the pictures are so appealing. I even pinned this just in case I do learn to knit. I'd love to make some of these. My husband has dishes duty too. But he, alas, is not like Papa Geek. If I want a spotless kitchen I'll have to live solo and sans kids, or make myself crazy keeping it clean...
P.S. the elephant came. Much excitement. Expect pictures on Friday :)
Posted by: Amber | 05/10/2012 at 09:02 AM
It does look way better than the commercial stuff. I love the subtle gray and that bar of soap is quite beautiful-almost too beautiful to use :)
Posted by: swanski | 05/10/2012 at 04:01 PM
GREAT idea and beautiful photos, too!! Just beautiful!! blessings ~ tanna
Posted by: tanna | 05/11/2012 at 07:06 AM
Love this idea! We've just been using the regular cellulose sponges. What does the dishwasher say? (your husband sounds like mine - no cook, but good kitchen cleaner - we're made for each other) :)
Posted by: Ellen | 05/11/2012 at 08:45 AM